Investing in companies that deal in interest below 33%

Q: I am not too convinced with the present day Islamic finance which is applied in the conventional banks as well as those with Muslim names.

Similar is the issue with stock markets. One point that I have totally failed to understand is the concept of permissibility in investing in those companies which deal in interest on condition their interest earnings/dealings is below 33%.

By me buying shares in a company, I become a co owner. So being a co owner in a company dealing in interest is permissible as long as it is registered as a public limited company.

But then why is interest not permissible for me as a sole trader. If I have a shop which I run by myself then why can't I take loans and invest in interest based instruments and make sure it doesn't exceed 33%.

I am genuinely confused and have failed to understand the rationale in this 33% concept. Buying shares in a public limited company is permissible even if it deals in interest as long as it is till 33%. But by myself i can't be a sole trader doing the same. Please explain to me as i am really confused.

A: The haraam will remain haraam whether it is small or big.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا وَأَحَلَّ اللَّـهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا فَمَن جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىٰ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّـهِ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ (البقرة: ٢٧٥)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (المائدة: ٩٠)

عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم آكل الربا وموكله وكاتبه وشاهديه وقال هم سواء  (صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 1598)

عن أبي هريرة عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ليأتين على الناس زمان لا يبقى أحد إلا أكل الربا فإن لم يأكله أصابه من بخاره ويروى من غباره رواه أحمد وأبو داود والنسائي وابن ماجه (مشكوٰة المصابيح، الرقم: 2818)

وعن عبد الله بن حنظلة غسيل الملائكة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم درهم ربا يأكله الرجل وهو يعلم أشد من ستة وثلاثين زنية رواه أحمد والدراقطني وروى البيهقي في شعب الإيمان عن ابن عباس وزاد وقال من نبت لحمه من السحت فالنار أولى به ( مشكوٰة المصابيح، الرقم: 2825)

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)